Multilayer ceramic capacitor

Abstract

The multilayer ceramic capacitor has a plurality of dielectric layers and inner layers laminated alternately laminated on one another. In each of the dielectric layers, the rate of ceramic grain which form the dielectric layers and present singly in one dielectric layer over its entire longitudinal thickness is set to amount to 20% or more. The multilayer ceramic capacitor can prevent a decrease in a CR product to a value lower than a desired level even if the dielectric layer becomes as thin as 5 μm or less. This can comply with demands for a multilayer ceramic capacitor that the number of the dielectric layers to be laminated on the inner electrodes should be increased yet the thickness of the dielectric layers should be made thinner in order to meet requirements for making electronic circuit more compact in size and higher in density.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A multilayer ceramic capacitor having a plurality of dielectric layers and inner electrodes laminated alternately on one another, wherein a rate of single ceramic grain present in one dielectric layer amounts to 20% or higher, said single ceramic grain being a ceramic grain each of which is located singly in one dielectric layer over an entire longitudinal length of said one dielectric layer. 
     
     
       2. The multilayer ceramic capacitor as claimed in claim  1 , wherein: 
       said dielectric layer is as thin as 5 μm or less, and  
       said ceramic grain forming said dielectric layer has a mean grain size of 3.5 μm or larger.  
     
     
       3. The multilayer ceramic capacitor as claimed in claim  1 , wherein said inner electrode is formed by a conductive paste containing Ni powders as a major component. 
     
     
       4. The multilayer ceramic capacitor as claimed in claim  1 , wherein said dielectric layer comprises ceramic grain of a BaTiO4 type. 
     
     
       5. The multilayer ceramic capacitor as claimed in claim  2 , wherein said inner electrode is formed by a conductive paste containing Ni powders as a major component. 
     
     
       6. The multilayer ceramic capacitor as claimed in claim  2 , wherein said dielectric layer comprises ceramic grain of a BaTiO4 type.